Tobermory RNLI launches to yacht aground in Loch Aline

It was an early morning wake up call for the Tobermory volunteer crew when the pagers sounded shortly after 7am on Saturday 11 June. The all-weather lifeboat made way to the upper end of Loch Aline where the yacht was hard aground. After a night of strong winds, the vessel appeared to have broken her mooring and been blown ashore.

The daughter craft (the Y boat) was launched and two crew checked the vessel for any persons aboard. With no one found onboard and with the Lochaline Coastguard Rescue Team in attendance, the Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey returned to Tobermory.

This was the second call-out for Tobermory lifeboat in 36 hours. On Thursday 9 June shortly before 4pm, the lifeboat was requested to launch to assist a yacht with engine problems 2.5 nautical miles south of Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. The crew of three were trying to sail into Tobermory having lost power but making little headway, they made the decision to call the Coastguard for assistance. Having assessed the situation, Deputy Second Coxswain Dave Underwood made the decision to tow the yacht into Tobermory Harbour where the Tobermory Coastguard Rescue Team assisted with securing her alongside.

Of this service, Dave Underwood said: ‘the guys made the right decision to have the forethought to call for assistance before their situation became more urgent. They had tried to make their own way into port and we are glad to have helped them out.’

RNLI media contacts

Leanne Blair, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07711549609 or [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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